Return of the Wild Gang Chapter 09

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Disclaimer: I don't own YGO.

Bakura lightly bounced down the stairs towards the boys' bathroom. He started to slink when he heard voices. Oh no, Yugi's run into someone! he thought. He turned the corner of the hall and saw Zygore holding poor, little Yugi up by his collar. He had to act fast.

"What do you think you're doing?" he demanded bravely.

"Huh? Dis don't consoin you! Get lost!" said Zygore, pronouncing his 'r's as 'oy's.

"Wait, you look familiar…" said Sid.

"Whaaa!" screamed Bonz. "Th-that's the guy who scored all our Locator Cards in the cemetery!" he hid behind Zygore.

"What the bloody heck are you talking about?" asked Bakura. Yugi struggled to speak.

"B-Bakura…go get help!" he said. Bakura stood his ground. Sid began fiddling with the Millennium Puzzle.

"This thing is solid gold! Let's take it!" Before even Yugi could protest, a light burst from Bakura's chest. The next moment Bakura was gone. The evil spirit of the Millennium Ring had taken him over. One could tell, because his hair began defying gravity, and his eyes got a whole lot squintier. He also now had a cunning smirk on his usually calm and shy face.

"I'm afraid I'll have to insist that you take your filthy hands off of my treasure," he said. Bonz freaked out.

"That's the guy! That's the guy from my duel!" he cried.

"It's been quite a while, Little Bonz. I trust you've learned to mind whom you pick fights with?" he grunted again.

"Y-you stay away from me!" begged Bonz.

"Put Yugi down and I will spare you a trip to the Shadow Realm," threatened the evil spirit.

"Oh geez…" groaned Yugi. "You know, you always lose, what makes you so confident that you'll get your way this time?"

"Don't run your mouth, Yugi. I could just as easily strip you of your mind."

"Why don't you just mind your own business?" asked Sid.

"Why don't you mind your manners and put Yugi down?" countered the spirit. Sid scoffed. "I see. You leave me little choice…" the spirit raised his hand, ready to hurt the three thugs, when Tristan appeared.

"Hey! What's going on, here!" he shouted. Zygore dropped Yugi and ran away with his gang. "You again?" said Tristan, familiar with the other side of Bakura. "Whatever you were doing better not have been to Yugi…"

"It's OK, Tristan," said Yugi, rising from his helpless position on the floor. "this time he was actually on my side." Tristan only huffed the question off, and shot the spirit a glare. Before either of them could say another word, Bakura regained control of his body.

"Yugi, Tristan, we'd better get back upstairs or we'll get left behind," he said cheerfully. Yugi and Tristan looked at each other and shrugged. Then they followed their British friend up the stairs.

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Meanwhile, Bandit Keith was stuffing his vest with food as he raided the cafeteria fridge. He stole mostly packaged crackers and stuff that wouldn't melt or spoil, but now he had found some sports drinks, and swiped them too. Bonz interrupted his thieving by running into the room, totally terrified.

"Boss! There's a guy who looks like he's good but he's really evil and he almost sent me to the Shadow Realm and-"

Bonz babbled.

"You want to make yourself useful? Go microwave me a hotdog!" ordered Keith, shoving a package of Turkey hotdogs and whole-wheat buns in Bonz's face.

"B-but Boss! I'm scared!" he stuttered.

"Then I'm assigning you to be my personal chef! Sid and Zygore can handle finding the dweeb and his friends! And once they do, we'll hold 'em hostage for everything they've got," explained Keith.

"But Joey Wheeler is poor! Yugi has that Millennium Puzzle that makes him really mean and scary…and the girl…well, I don't know about her…and I'm not going anywhere near that white-haired foreigner! He creeps me

out…" Keith rolled his eyes as he watched Bonz fiddle with the microwave dial.

"Look Bonz, I hired you to duel people. You're not very good at that so I bumped you up to hit-man. Now either you succeed as my little chef or I fire you and throw you out on the streets! Now quit complaining and heat up that dang dog!" Bonz cringed and obeyed.

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The students were all lining up behind the auditorium stage now, Tea, Tristan, Duke, Yugi, Bakura and all the other students. Tristan was sweating bullets, but not from nervousness of graduating…he was scared for Joey. Then, if not by a mere coincidence then miraculously, Joey stumbled in through the stage door, still trying to get his cap on.

"Hey guys!" he said. Tristan exploded.

"YOU! YOU MORON! Do you have any idea what you put us through!" he yelled, grabbing Joey by the collar and shaking him back an forth, nearly throttling him in anger.

"Hey Man! Easy, you're ripping the uniform!"

"Tristan, stop!" pleaded Yugi. Tristan let go and Yugi hugged Joey. "We were afraid you wouldn't make it."

"Aw, no worries, Yug'," said Joey. Soon they heard the principal on the microphone. "Well, dat's our cue to shut up and get ready!" he bellowed. Tea smacked him upside the head.

"Yeah, you can start with actually being quiet," she hissed. Joey grinned sheepishly.

The ceremony was long and boring, but soon everyone who was elected as something or made the school proud got to say something.

"And now, on behalf of the school's International Program, our first if what I hope will be many foreign transfer students, Ryo Bakura!" said the principal. There was a loud applause as Bakura nervously walked out and climbed atop the podium. (A/N: A lot of people think the podium is the big desk thing you stand at, but the podium is actually what you stand ON.)

"Thank you," he said softly. Then he cleared his throat and began his speech. "When I first came to Domino High, I wasn't sure I'd fit in. I thought everyone would laugh at my accent or…make fun of my odd hair color. But I shouldn't have been afraid. Because Domino High is filled with…" he turned his head toward the bleachers on the stage, filled with the graduating class. "…kind and caring individuals. And, I've made more good friends and memories here than I would have back in London, and…I just want to say thanks." then he quietly stepped down. Walking back to his seat on the bleachers he thought he saw Joey wipe a tear from his eye.

After that speech the principal did the whole…handing-you-your-diploma-and-shaking-your-hand thing, that seemed to take FOREVER, the graduation ceremony was finally over. After Joey received his diploma he searched the audience for Mai. Surely enough, she was in the back row, clapping. He wasn't sure if she could tell that he was looking at her, but he smiled in acknowledgement just the same. Then the audience and graduates were dismissed to the gym for refreshments and yearbook-signing and all that.

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Each graduate had had their own 'magical' experience. That night, Yugi and his friends each stayed up late in their rooms, looking through their yearbooks. While sad that most of them wouldn't see each other next year, they were happy for one another that they were going out in the world to pursue their dreams. In Yugi's room, tears slid down his cheeks as he read what each one of his friends had written in his book.

I'll never forget you, Yugi. Maybe one day we can both go to New York together. --Tea

I'll always remember how you stuck it to those bullies and duelists. Keep on rocking, Yugi. See you in college. --Tristan

"You were a good friend. Let's not lose touch." --Bakura

"Long Live the King of Games!" --Duke

Yugi, you've done so much for me that if I tried to list it I'd use up all the autograph pages in your book. But I think you know what I'm about to write. You're the best friend I've ever had. I don't know where I'd be without you. You taught me about dueling, friendship, and you've even given me confidence when it comes to love. You may not be the best man at my wedding, but you are the best man for anything else. --Joey

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Tea read hers at night, too. She'd miss her friends terribly, and she was a little nervous about going to New York. But she knew that her friends would always be with her.

Good luck in New York Tea. I know you will be on Broadway someday. And when you are, I'll be right there in the audience. Love Yugi.

We made a great cheering squad, Tea. You taught me that cheerleading isn't just for girls-- and it's an awesome way to show your friends you care. --Tristan.

"I only wish we'd gotten to know each other better. Good luck with your dancing career!" --Bakura.

"Have fun in New York, Dancing Queen." --Duke

Thanks for keeping me in line, Tea. And for believing in me. Good luck with your dancing (not that you need luck)! --Joey

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Tristan wasn't really the emotional type, whatever that means, but he was touched by the autographs in his yearbook.

It'll be fun being roommates. See you in college! --Yugi

"We weren't close but you were still a good friend. Take care." --Bakura

"Sorry if I sabotaged your chances of getting with Serenity. You're my best friend, Tristan." -Duke

"Hey Tristan, thanks for everything. You're my oldest pal and you've always stuck by my side even when I was too proud to accept your friendship. Even Yugi couldn't replace you-- that's why you're my best man. --Joey

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Joey was sitting on Mai's couch, waiting for her to finish signing it. She was taking a long time, but when she finally finished and went to take a shower (giving Joey a little privacy so he wouldn't feel like she was hovering over him while he read it), he read what his friends had to say.

I can't wait for your wedding, Joey. I wish you and Mai the very best. You're my best friend because you've been there for me when I needed you, and you taught me to be a man. Others might call it hazing, but I call it an act of friendship. I'll never forget all the good times we've had, all the duels and friends we made together. I hope you'll have the good sense to take this in a non-homosexual way, but I love you. --Yugi

I'll miss the heck out of you, Joey. You may be a knucklehead most of the time but when it comes down to it you're a great guy. I won't let you down as your best man, and I wish you and Mai the best. Best friends 4-ever! --Tristan.

We've been through a lot together, Joey. I hope you and Mai have a wonderful future together. --Tea

"Keep on dueling!" --Bakura.

"Sorry about that dog-suit thing. But I'm glad we're friends. (PS: Tell your sister to call me.) --Duke

"Hello Joey. I didn't know you in high school, but I'm glad I met you. You've shown me what friendship is, and more to the point, what love is. That's why I accepted your proposal. You make me feel so special, and that's what I want in a life partner. I truly feel we're soul mates. --Love your fiancée, Mai.

A tear came to Joey's eye as he closed the book. Mai had gotten out of the shower and changed into a nightgown. "I would've written more, but I wanted to save a few things for our vows," she said. Joey walked over to her and picked her up in his arms. She wrapped her hands around his neck as he carried her into her bedroom. He lay her down on her bed and snuggled under the covers with her. (A/N: And that's as far as they went.) The last thing Mai heard before falling asleep was her love whispering in her ear,

"I love you."

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